Block A Day Challenge has come to a halt

Well, I'm afraid my Block A Day Challenge came to a grinding halt with the completion of my big rainbow blocks. I was going to make some smaller blocks as part of the quilt, but I don't think it needs them.  I had been pondering on what to make to continue the challenge but have decided that given the pressures and stresses of family life at the moment I will concentrate on completing the quilt and working on some other smaller projects as I can do them when I have time. 
It's only May and so far this year has been very difficult with two members of our close family being very sick.  One being my Stepfather who sadly passed away on Saturday evening after spending nearly 3 months in  hospital after a fall at home in early February.  He fought a long hard battle trying to get home to his beloved antiques and comforts but it was not to be.   My focus now is on supporting Mum but as she is 7 hours drive away I am going to be traveling a lot.
I would like to especially thank Robyn of Daisy Quilts for hosting the Block A Day Challenge, it really got me motivated to make the blocks for my Rainbow Quilt.  It would still be in the idea stage if I hadn't joined the challenge!  I will be stopping by to visit your blogs to admire your progress in the challenge and I will of course post my progress with the Rainbow Quilt too.

Final colour of my big BaD Blocks

This is the last of the colours/shades of my daughter's leaving home quilt.  I am undecided on the smaller border blocks now as the quilt may be big enough without them.  I'm off to our local patchwork shop, where my dear friend works, to have a look at a background fabric she thinks might suit.  After I have seen that I will decide on the next step.

BaD blocks - better late than never

I'm a little late with this post, but here are my violet blocks.  I only have one more colour to go and then I am done with the big blocks for the quilt.  I have decided to make smaller ones as part of the border, so you will get to see the colours all over again! 

Oh dear I've been BaD

It's Monday, the day to post our week's worth of blocks and guess what??  They are not done. They are still in pieces on my ironing board...

It was a busy week and a busy weekend, so I just didn't get any further than cutting the blocks out.  

I had a wonderful crafty kind of day with friends on Saturday (just not a "sewing my Block of the Day" kind of day).  We went to the Wauchope Patchwork Quilters exhibition and then we spent the afternoon at a Shabbilicious Painting Technique Workshop with Kerry of  Woodberry Designs.  Kerry took us through a range of painting techniques and happily shared her extensive knowledge and experience with us. Her studio has displays of her beautiful work all around...so inspiring.

We were treated to a delightful devonshire tea and received a beautiful little box of chocolates to take home.  We had a ball!

Blue BaD blocks

I've been working on the blue tones and found it very hard going on my eyes as my cutting board is blue and the lines on my ruler are blue too!  Not very good planning on my part.
This is a short post  as I am about to start a very crazy day of work, 2 dental appointments (yes, 2 ), a quick lunch with my best friend, a webinar and then a much needed yoga class to calm the mind, body and spirit. 

Setting myself up with Bloglovin'

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Happy Easter

It's a long post from me for a change. 
Here are my BaD blocks for the week, with some Easter Bunnies.  I loved working with my  favourite colours of teal and aqua,  unfortunately the photograph does not do them justice.

My sewing room/office has become my retreat and oasis whilst we are in the midst of some family dramas .
I started the year determined to try some new techniques, so I gave myself a treat by enrolling in an online class on the  Joggles website.  My class is a "Textured and Treated Reticule" by Christen Brown.  I  spent some happy hours yesterday, playing with fabric, yarns and a new product to me called "Texture Magic" which is a steam activated shrinking fabric.

Here are a few shots of my work so far

Twin Needle Stitching with rayon and metallic threads

Using "Texture Magic" on the back - before steaming with the iron

After steaming with the iron - amazing texture!

Couching threads and yarns

On Good Friday my daughter and I took a walk on the beach and poked around in the logs, trees and branches that have ended up on the shore after all our floods.  Some creative people have been making "sculptures" on the beach out of the wood

I'll close my post this week with a shot of my daughter on the beach.  She is on a Gap Year this year, working and traveling.  She  is off to Japan on Thursday for a 3 week holiday with a friend. Japan is her passion and she will be studying Japanese at University next year  It's her first overseas trip without a parent  and she is so excited. I am so happy for her, but a bit anxious as well...my apron strings are getting very frayed , it's almost time to cut them off.